A Missed Opportunity - Nanette M. Holloway

The Country Girl waits prayerfully for the Beloved.

Suddenly beyond the lattice, she hears the Shepherd King’s voice in the distance. Oh, look, My Beloved is leaping on the hillsides, and clearing every obstacle in his path. He is so strong and majestic! He can do anything.

Her spirit brightens as he peers in through the lattice. He makes eye contact, and the Country Girl’s heart is pierced. He looks through her discerning every thought, feeling, doubt and fear.

The Shepherd King’s Whisper

Come my Beloved. The cold winter winds no longer blow. Spring is in the air and the wildflowers bloom on the hillside. The earth rejoices with new growth and the turtledove sings a song of praise. Rise my fair Dove. Join me in a divine adventure. Your destiny awaits, my Beloved.

Look! The sheep need tending. And the e orchards set their fruit and the tender vines in the vineyard bud with new tender shoots and tiny grapes. Prepare for the coming harvest.

herd of animals on grass field near mountains — Photo by Temo Berishvili on Pexels.com

My fair Dove, come to the secret place in the hills, and in the cleft of rocks beyond the faux safety of your wall. When you dwell in me you find true safety. Let me gaze upon your lovely face and hear your sweet voice.

The Brothers

Her brothers hear the Shepherd King as well. Their reply is a rude rebuttal. “Catch us the foxes and the little foxes that spoil the vines.” They have grapes in their own vineyards. They refer to him as a fox that could spoil harvest. A distraction to their production and fruit operation that is fine tuned to minimize waste and increase profits. Their schedule and timeline ready for the pending harvest. They have no sympathy for the Shepherd King or their sister’s infantile obsession with him.

The Country Girl boldly declares to the Shepherd King and all within earshot, including her brothers. “This is my Beloved Shepherd King, and I am His. He feeds his flock among the lilies on the nearby hills. But my Beloved, I don’t feel like joining you this time. Go ahead without me.”

Before her eyes, her Beloved turns at her request and retreats to the mountains where his sheep graze.

The Country Girl’s Missed Opportunity

As his form grows smaller and smaller on the horizon, her heart sinks. Her bitter thought, why had she turned the Shepherd King away? She missed her opportunity to go with her one true love. She waited and prayed for him to come. And he answered. How could she be so thoughtless?

Finally, she recognizes that her Beloved does not dwell within her enclosure at all. The misleading deceptions come into mournful view. She wouldn’t miss another opportunity to go with the Shepherd King again.

Her only hope and prayer is that he will give her another chance.